Virgin Bet Novices' Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 16:45 | Winning time: 6m 44.38s

Cracking Smart^p,t¹⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 12-2| J: Harry Reed| T: Mrs S Leech| OR: 121| D

12/1

Temperamental sort who was fourth in the 2020 Coral Cup but has badly lost his way, including over fences for this yard.

Form: 0P6P45

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

Get Your Own^p1³⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Harry Bannister| T: A M Hales| OR: 117| BF

11/8

Made an encouraging start to his chasing career but was beaten at odds-on in a 3-runner event at Catterick 37 days ago. Should be closer to form here in first-time cheekpieces and worth a look.

Form: 4-83433

French Paradoxe^h²²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: G Sheehan| T: O Signy| OR: 112

10/3

Lost his way over hurdles last year and, back from 10 months off, showed little promise in a handicap at Market Rasen on chasing debut. Fell last time and others are preferred.

Form: 6147-5F

Bitasweetsymphony²²

Age: 7| Weight: 10-8| J: C J Todd⁽³⁾| T: S Allwood| OR: 99

7/4

Placed twice before getting off the mark at Bangor this season. Back to form when third at Huntingdon 22 days ago, though meets stronger company here over the longest trip he's faced over fences.

Form: P-32173

Non-Runners

Animal²⁴

Weight: 11-7| Age: 6

T: Miss S Smith J: Charlie Hammond

Forecasts

Get Your Own (11/8), Bitasweetsymphony (7/4), Animal (15/8), French Paradoxe (10/3), Cracking Smart (12/1)

GET YOUR OWN was below par last time, but had been shaping up well over fences, the form of his fourth here in December looking strong. He may remain well-treated on the promise of those efforts, and a chance is taken he'll be back to his best. Animal won at Fakenham in January and proved he can compete from this mark last time, whilst Bitasweetsymphony can fill the frame.